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COCA News and Announcements

Recent COCA Call/Webinar:

Chikungunya virus is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause fever and severe polyarthralgia. Outbreaks of the chikungunya have occurred in countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In late 2013, the first local chikungunya virus transmission in the Americas was reported on islands in the Caribbean. Travelers to areas with ongoing outbreaks are at risk of becoming infected and spreading the virus to new areas, including the United States. During this COCA call, a CDC subject matter expert provided information on chikungunya virus epidemiology, clinical findings, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Additionally, they described the importance of early recognition and reporting of suspected cases to mitigate the risk of local transmission.

CDC News and Announcements

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s (ATSDR) Toxic Substances Web Portal provides comprehensive access to the best science, the latest research, and important information about how toxic substances can affect health.

Each month’s teleconference provides a forum for state, tribal, local and territorial health, policy, and communication officials to broaden the conversation, build momentum, and ensure active implementation of evidence-based, effective programs within the public health areas covered by Vital Signs. Join CDC subject matter experts and other public health professionals for a town hall teleconference on “Improving Antibiotic Prescribing in Hospitals.”

Each week select science clips are shared with the public health community to enhance awareness of emerging scientific knowledge. The focus is applied public health research and prevention science that has the capacity to improve health now.

Infectious, Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases

Avian Influenza A (H7N9) Virus

Human infections with a new avian influenza A (H7N9) virus continue to be reported in China. The virus has been detected in poultry in China as well. While mild illness in human cases has been seen, most patients have had severe respiratory illness and some people have died. No cases of H7N9 outside of China have been reported. The new H7N9 virus has not been detected in people or birds in the United States.

Travel Safety

Travel Warnings are issued when long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable lead the State Department to recommend that Americans avoid or consider the risk of travel to that country. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government's ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff.

Food, Drug and Device Safety

The FDA is warning consumers not to eat any of the following brands of cheese manufactured or repackaged by Roos Foods of Kenton, Delaware: Mexicana, Amigo, Santa Rosa De Lima, and Anita. Roos Foods has voluntarily recalled all lots and all types of cheese distributed under these brands. These products were distributed through retail stores in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

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